At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we treat behavioral disorders and process addictions from every angle and possibility. Our treatment methods include evidence-based therapies, holistic healing approaches, psychological testing, family therapy, and more. The psychological aspects of behavioral disorders are a challenge in their own right, but they are not the only thing to impact process addictions. Though no substance or chemical is consumed to induce the sought-after high, there are still physical markers of psychological and behavioral addictions. When the activity and everyday life exchange becomes unhealthy, there may be a physical facet to the condition.

Process addiction, which some experts call impulse control disorders or behavioral addiction, is a condition that has much less research than substance abuse. Though the conditions are different, they tend to be very similar in their overlapping genetic contribution, presentation and symptoms, and treatment. Many treatments for substance abuse are similar to process addiction treatment at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery.

Physical Indicators of Process Addiction

One significant difference between substance abuse and process addiction is that process addiction often does not display the same physical effects. When the issue is behavioral, the complications that arise are primarily behavioral, social, relational, psychological, or a combination of these possibilities. The individual may show many different symptoms of process addiction at the start and throughout their struggle, such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Anti-social behavior
• Varying disregard for obligations and responsibilities
• Changes in sleep patterns

The visible symptoms related to process addiction are similar to those of substance abuse and physical addiction. Both involve neurological interactions with the dopaminergic system, otherwise known as the reward system of the brain. This can bring about the same physical signs of stress as abuse of chemicals and substances.

Symptoms of Process Addiction

Many would recognize what substance abuse looks like from an outside perspective. The direct relationship between the external behavior and the physical condition of those struggling speaks to disorders like process addiction that each client may be experiencing:

• Cravings
• Disproportionate behavior
• Lack of control
• Increased tolerance
• Psychological and physical withdrawal

The higher the tolerance an individual has, the more challenging it can be to overcome the behavior disorder. For example, those with a gambling addiction may use several slot machines at once to reach the same level of “high” they would have gotten initially. This can be exceedingly dangerous with substance abuse but poses its own threat to the one struggling with process addiction when seeking treatment. Withdrawal becomes a possibility with any addiction. The mental and emotional symptoms of withdrawal include irritation, grouchiness, and trouble concentrating. However, there are also the physical withdrawal symptoms that come with addiction, such as physical restlessness or jumpiness and difficulty sleeping.

Get Treatment at Foothills at Red Oak

Process addiction treatment changes by type, demographic, and stage. At Foothills at Red Oak, for example, there is a wide range of process addiction treatment options. The types of non-substance, disordered behavior are many, but all share similar treatment themes. Because teens’ brains differ from adult brains, it is vital to address the condition with teens’ needs. The effects of process addiction also differ from person to person, which means that recognition falls to those close by to identify a behavior disorder.

Hesitation to seek support by the loved ones of a teen who is struggling with process addiction or a behavior disorder can only hinder the treatment process once it begins. Process addiction symptoms may be subtle and easy to disregard. Speak to your child, dependent, or loved one about their experiences and reach out if you doubt the health of their relationships with activities such as video games, the internet, or smartphones.
Please contact Foothills at Red Oak at 866.300.5275 for more information.